Nursing groups seek answers in death of Minneapolis nurse

The death of Alex Pretti, a critical care nurse, has spurred nationwide attention and outrage, and nursing groups are looking for answers.

A Border Patrol agent shot and killed Pretti in Minneapolis Saturday morning. Federal officials said the agent fired “defensive” shots and that Pretti was carrying a gun, the Associated Press reports. Videos show Pretti was holding a camera, not his gun, the AP reports. Video footage also shows an agent securing the gun before Pretti is fatally shot, The Washington Post reports. The death of Pretti follows the killing of Renee Good earlier this month.

Pretti, who was 37, worked as an intensive care unit nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, his family told CNN.

Nursing associations offered statements of grief and also called for transparent investigations surrounding the fatal shooting of Pretti.

“The American Nurses Association (ANA) is deeply disturbed and saddened to learn of the death of Alex Pretti, a registered nurse, in Minneapolis …. We extend our condolences to Alex’s loved ones, colleagues, and the community at large,” the association said in a statement.

“ANA condemns violence in our communities. The seriousness of this incident and others demand transparency and accountability. ANA calls for a full, unencumbered investigation, and urges that findings be shared promptly and clearly so Alex’s loved ones and the public have answers,” the ANA said.

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses also said in a statement that “we mourn the loss of one of our own.”

The association offered condolences to Pretti’s loved ones and said that nurses engage in advocacy for a better society, and also called for a thorough investigation.

“AACN supports a complete and transparent investigation and urges that findings be made available promptly,” the group said.

The group also encouraged nurses to support each other and seek assistance if they need it.

“We recognize that Alex’s death is especially distressing among the nursing community. We encourage nurses to support each other and seek peer or professional counsel as needed. Our well-being is paramount to our ability to provide excellent care to patients and their families,” the AACN said.

The Oregon Nurses Association said it is “outraged, heartbroken, and profoundly disturbed by the fatal shooting of 37-year-old registered nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti.”

“The Oregon Nurses Association stands in unequivocal solidarity with immigrant communities, with nurses, and with all frontline healthcare professionals across the country who are demanding accountability, and an independent investigation,” the ONA said.

Nursing associations, including the Washington State Nurses Association, also said that the nursing code of ethics calls on nurses to speak out against human rights violations. The Washington State Nurses Association said it is “outraged” by Pretti’s death and there needs to be an impartial probe.

“Justice for Alex Pretti is essential, and federal agents must be held accountable for any unlawful actions. We echo calls for a full, unbiased investigation,” the Washington nurses’ group said.

National Nurses United, a union representing more than 225,000 nurses, said that it is “horrified” by Pretti’s death and condemned the actions of U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement. The union demanded “justice and accountability.”

“He not only advocated for his patients inside the VA as a member of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), but also took his advocacy to the streets to stand up for his community as nurses do,” the union said of Pretti.

Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, told CNN that their son relished his work as a nurse and sought to counter federal officials’ descriptions of Pretti as a domestic terrorist.

“Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world,” Michael and Susan Pretti told CNN. “Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact.”

Dimitri Drekonja, MD, an infectious disease physician at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, wrote on BlueSky that Pretti was a colleague who was “a good kind person who lived to help.”

Nurses have high credibility with Americans. A Gallup poll shows nurses remain the most trusted workers, a distinction they have held for more than two decades.